Despite undergoing what the Houston Rockets believed would be season-ending surgery on a broken foot in October, reserve swingman Gerald Green isn’t ruling out a return to the team this season.
Green’s injury occurred during Houston’s preseason game in Japan against the Toronto Raptors on Oct. 10. Over the past two seasons, the 33-year-old had averaged 10.3 points (36.0% on three-pointers) in 21.1 minutes per game with the Rockets, mostly from a bench role.
Speaking to media before Friday’s home game against the Philadelphia 76ers, the native Houstonian — who the team said in October would go through a six-month rehabilitation process — told local media members that he remained hopeful of a return by the 2020 NBA playoffs.
While saying he would not rush his recovery, Green noted that he had begun walking on an underwater treadmill and had already regained some strength and definition in his legs.
Among his comments Friday, Green said:
Hopefully I’ll be ready to go by the end of this year, maybe towards the playoffs.
As of Friday, the 6-foot-6 Green was still wearing a walking boot.
In late October, ESPN‘s Tim MacMahon reported via a team source that Green was “highly doubtful” to return this season, even if the Rockets make a deep playoff run into May and June.
In offseason workout footage of Green prior to the injury, several NBA veterans appeared quite impressed by his form.
After re-signing in July, Green is under contract with the Rockets for this current NBA season at the veteran’s minimum salary. He effectively has a no-trade clause, and is set to again be a free agent in the summer.
